Do Anti-Depressants Cause Weight Gain?
Lindsay Knake
| 3 min read
Lindsay Knake is a brand journalist for Blue Cross B...
About 17% of women and 8% of men in the United States take an antidepressant, and the percentage of young people taking the medications is rising.
One common side effect of most antidepressants is weight gain. Mood disorders such as anxiety and depression are also associated with changes in weight as both can suppress or increase appetite. Let’s take a look at common antidepressants and how they affect weight.
What are antidepressants?
Antidepressants are first-line medications used to treat anxiety and depression by increasing the amount of feel-good brain chemicals such as serotonin, norepinephrine and dopamine. These medications also can help with disorders such as obsessive-compulsive disorder, post-traumatic stress disorder or irritable bowel syndrome.
There are four main types of antidepressants:
- Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs), which increase levels of serotonin in your brain. Common SSRIs are escitalopram (Lexapro), fluoxetine (Prozac), paroxetine (Paxil)and sertraline (Zoloft).
- Serotonin and norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors (SNRIs), which block the reabsorption of the serotonin and norepinephrine. SNRIs include desvenlafaxine (Pristiq), duloxetine (Cymbalta), levomilnacipran (Fetzima) and venlafaxin (Effexor XR).
- Tricyclic antidepressants increase the amount of serotonin and norepinephrine in your brain. Common drugs include desipramine (Norpramin), imipramine (Tofranil) and nortriptyline (Pamelor).
- Atypical antidepressants, which change the level of brain chemicals such as dopamine and norepinephrine. These include buproprion (Wellbutrin) and mirtazapine (Remeron).
Common side effects include sleepiness, decrease in libido and weight gain.
Do antidepressants cause weight gain?
One study found about 10% to 20% of people taking antidepressants experienced weight gain of 1 to 3 pounds. Possible reasons for weight gain include changes in metabolism and appetite.
Not all antidepressants are the same. Paroxetine is more likely to cause weight gain, while buproprion is the least likely, according to WebMD.
A July 2024 observational study of more than 183,000 people in the U.S. found four common antidepressants are associated with weight gain:
- Sertraline: nearly 0.5 pounds at six months and 3.2 pounds at 24 months
- Duloxetine (Cymbalta): 1.2 pounds at six months and 1.7 pounds at 24 months
- Paroxetine (Paxil): 1.4 pounds at six months and 2.9 pounds at 24 months
- Escitalopram: 1.4 pounds at six months and 3.6 pounds at 24 months
The study didn’t have information on medication adherence, or taking the medication as prescribed, which is important to ensure the effectiveness of antidepressants. The measurements of weight gain were averages, meaning some who take antidepressants will not see any weight gain while others could see higher weight gain.
There are many factors of weight gain that may not be a negative side effect of the medication. Anxiety and depression can suppress appetite in some people, and an antidepressant may return their appetite to normal. People also tend to gain weight naturally as they age, according to the Mayo Clinic. For some, the risk of modest weight gain may outweigh the negative effects of depression or anxiety, which can be disabling and make daily life, work and school difficult.
Weight gain of a few pounds is unlikely to affect your health, but a gain of 10 pounds or more can increase cholesterol and blood pressure and increase the risk of diabetes.
Every individual, however, will react to different medications and dosages differently. It is important to work with your primary care physician to find a prescription and dosage that works for you, including limiting side effects.
While on an antidepressant, continue to prioritize your overall health by:
- Eating a nutritious diet of fresh vegetables and fruit, lean protein, healthy fats and whole grains.
- Staying hydrated.
- Getting enough sleep.
- Get 30 to 45 minutes of exercise four to five days a week.
- Going to therapy.
- Taking care of your mental health with meditation, journaling or a breathwork practice.
Image: Getty Images
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